How to: Choose a front door paint colour

We all want our home to be a place that welcomes friends and family into the nest. But maintaining a home's exterior can be quite time-consuming, not to mention costly. For an easy DIY project that will transform the outside of your home, add to its curb appeal and only requires a quart of paint, we suggest painting your front door a fabulous new colour!

Here are three things to keep in mind when painting a front door:

1 Choose a colour that suits your houseApple green might be your favourite colour, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right shade for your front door. Garry Belfall, Senior Brand Manager for Para Paints, advises choosing colours that complement the other tones and architecture present on your home’s exterior. “Try to pick a colour that works within the wood or brick of your home,” he suggests. “Or if there are other items on the home, such as shutters and accents, it’s a good idea to coordinate with those.”

Garry also acknowledges the importance of experimenting with colour on your front door and taking chances with different shades. “The front door is a vehicle for inspiration,” he continues. “For those who want to be more adventurous with their outdoor decor, colour is an open door (pardon the pun) for expression.”

“When picking colours for an interior, they tend to feel bolder than they actually are,” she says. “Outside, a colour tends to fade more [compared to its sample swatch]. Bright yellow can look beige outside, so the bolder the better for exterior use.”

Her advice is to test paint samples outside in various strengths of light to see how the colour looks throughout the day. “Consider your style and how you wish to express yourself personally,” she says. “For me, a painted front door can be equated to a gentleman who wears a colourful tie. It’s about personality, character and a flattering look that grabs attention.”

3 Choose the right kind of paintAccording to Sharon, the kind of paint you use ultimately depends on the quality of your door. For example, she advises not putting a high gloss paint on an older, damaged door, because the imperfections will show through. Really study your options in terms of matte, low-lustre and semi-gloss finishes, as well as the door’s materials before opening the paint cans.